HIGHWAYS BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 20225, 9 July 1927, Page 21 (Supplement)

HIGHWAYS BOARD

QUESTION OF REPRESENTATION. A circular letter from the Main Highways Board dealing with the question of appoint ing a representative of the South Island motorists to the boa¥d was received at yesterdays meeting of the Southland County Council. Nothing was done in the matter by the council, the letter being merely received. The letter stated—“At the recent conference between the Highways Board, County representatives and South Island Motor Union representatives, the latter brought forward a proposal that the Motor Union should be granted a separate representative on the Highways Board. It is manifestly unfair and inappropriate at the present time that the South Island Motor Union should have to be represented by a gentleman, who, however capable, is reside >t in Auckland. “After a course of many years it was found that conditions and aspirations in the South Island were so different from those in the North that the South Island motorists as a body formed an independent governing body for the South Island. Subsequently the North Island motorists abandoned their title of the New Zealand Motor Union and have come into line with us by forming a North Island Motor Union. ‘There seems to us to be no valid reason in the circumstances why the South Island Motor Union should not have a representative on the Highways Board—a man who is acquainted with South Island conditions, and with whom it would be possible for the South Island Motor Union to keep in close touch. “The only argument that can be used against granting the South Island its rights in this matter is a somewhat serious one, that it would disturb the balance of power on the Highways Board at present held by the Government. The Government have three representatives, including the chairman, and there are two county representatives and one motor representative. Thus the Government has the controlling influence through the casting vote of the chairman. This, in effect, although not in so many words, gives the chairman the right of veto. ‘The South Island Motor Union does not wish to assist in over-riding the existing Government powers, and it is suggested that in order to get over the objection, which has been the power of veto, which in effect the chairman, for all practical purposes, has at the present time, should be specifically granted to him by an amendment of the Act at the same time as representation is granted to the South Island Motor Union. “The South Island Motor Union’s one desire is to help the counties and our country in grappling with the transport problem. Practically the whole of our members are ratepayers in some form or other, and they have the interests of the country at heart. “One would point out that the amount contributed by motorists in the South Island to the funds of the Highways Board is greater at present than the amount which is being spent annually by the whole of the counties in the South Island on maintenance and construction of highways. “What the South Island Motor Union is striving for is the right to have a representative to sit at the board table and help, so far as is possible, upon all highway matters. “We think we can claim that those at the head of our organisation have made a study of the subject and are extremely well acquainted with it, and that the activities of our representative on the board would be of considerable benefit, not only to the motorists, but also to the public generally. “At the conference above referred to many of the county delegates were diffident in expressing an opinion on the matter. The Motor Union representative present therefore thought it would not be fair to take a partial vote and for that reason, although the question was brought up and discussed, at our request no vote was taken. ‘The interest of the counties and the Motor Union are identical although we have never taken concerted action, but it goes without argument that another motor representative on the board would be a great help to the counties as well as ourselves. “We shall be very much obliged if your council would favourably consider our proposal and let us have an intimation of its opinion at its earliest convenience.” The letter was received.